The New School University
So, why do I like to teach?
Not only do I thoroughly enjoy teaching and working with writers, I find that my own work has improved. To teach others how to write, I was forced to consider just what the heck it is I do when I sit down to write. Instead of working out of instinct, I was forced to reconsider my techniques and adapt them so I could show others what to try. It was and continues to be both humbling and exciting.
So, over twelve years ago I begain teaching screenwriting at New York City's The New School University, both "live" in the classroom and online over the Internet. And immediately loved it. I no longer teach online, but you'll still find me the "live" in classroom, usually in the 13th St./5th Ave. building, so if you're in NYC and want to take a screenwriting class, please look me up.
The New School's online program is still thriving despite my lack of involvement (or because of it?). Called NSOU, it offers workshop-type classes where everyone participates in the class' creation. The teacher provides leadership, information, focused assignments and precise feedback, but this is a class where student participation is very important -- no dozing off in the backrow here please! The classes come alive with the energetic interaction of everyone providing constructive and creative comments feedback.
If you're interested about online classes, please follow the link below to The New School's NSOU program to find out more information. Once you arrive, click on the "Visitor Center," then look for "Courses & Registration". You'll find Screenwriting courses in the Communication Dept., not the Writing division. I know, it doesn't make complete sense, but that's the way they lay it out there.
Some people worry about "cyberclasses" being impersonal and removed. In reality, the opposite is true. Strangely enough, the classes are more intimate than "live" classes. People more freely express themselves and participate because they don't have to worry about speaking in front of people, which, according to a recent survey, is the most common fear people experience. Hey we're writers after all -- we're more comfortable writing than speaking.
To try and explain what it is like educating and being educated in cyberspace, I wrote the following (hopefully) amusing article for the then online program's newsletter, back when the program was called Distance InterActive Learning, or DIAL for short. (Considered clever back in the day before DSL and cable modems.) Back then the online program was all done in a text-only program without a web browser or graphics. Can you imagine!? To be honest, it's even hard for me to do so anymore.
For more info on online classes, THE NEW YORK TIMES wrote an article on this subject featuring two instructors from The New School University. To read it and learn more about online classes in general, follow the link below. But be aware that it was written "back in the day," 1996 to be exact. But while the technology has improved greatly, the basics of teaching online are still the same.
NEW YORK TIMES Online Classes Article
The NY TIMES site requires you register to view its articles, but there
is no cost to do so.
I have also taught through an online dramatic writing workshop community known as E-Script. This is a non-credit workshop-like environment that is less expensive than The New School for those on a budget and don't wish to receive academic credit. For more info on E-Script, follow this link:
And here is a link to a Q & A session I did for E-Script where I gave my thoughts and feelings on screenwriting and made some suggestions on how you can approach it.
And as always, if you have any other questions you would like to ask, about classes or anything else involving screenwriting, please write me.
Be afraid, be very afraid!
(An older New School catalog picture of me. My hair is much shorter now. And greyer too. Sigh.)
Return to Scripteach's
HomePage
KEEP ON WRITING!
